Respiratory

Airflow

The movement of air in and out of the lungs during breathing.

Pressure gradients

Differences in air pressure that drive airflow into and out of the lungs.

Resistance in the respiratory system

The opposition to airflow within the airways, affecting how easily air can move in and out.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a particular gas in a mixture of gases, crucial for gas exchange.

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs.

Pulmonary gas exchange

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood in the pulmonary capillaries.

Systemic gas exchange

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and body tissues.

Renin

An enzyme released by the kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.

EPO (Erythropoietin)

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Boyle's Law

The principle that states that at constant temperature, the pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume.

Intrapulmonary pressure

The pressure within the alveoli of the lungs.

Intrapleural pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity, typically lower than intrapulmonary pressure.

Cells of the alveolus

Type I cells (for gas exchange) and Type II cells (which produce surfactant to reduce surface tension).

Respiratory membrane

The thin barrier between the alveoli and blood capillaries where gas exchange occurs.

Mucus in the respiratory system

A sticky substance that traps dust and microorganisms, helping to condition and clean the air.

Trachea and bronchial tree

The major air passages that extend from the trachea to the lungs, branching into smaller bronchi and bronchioles.

Conditioning of air in the nasal cavity

The process of warming, humidifying, and filtering incoming air before it reaches the lungs.

Peripheral chemoceptors

Receptors located in the body that detect changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Central chemoceptors

Receptors in the brain that monitor the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid, responding primarily to carbon dioxide levels.

Larynx

The voice box, located in the throat; it houses the vocal cords and plays a crucial role in breathing and phonation.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.

Hemoglobin transport of oxygen

Hemoglobin in red blood cells binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to tissues.

Carbon dioxide transport

Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood primarily in the form of bicarbonate, dissolved in plasma, or bound to hemoglobin.

Transport of H+ in the blood

Hydrogen ions (H+) are produced during the conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and influence blood pH.